law enforcement - The Indiana Lawyer

Police investigate whether Tipton funeral home didn’t bury bodies

June 21, 2019

Police are investigating whether a central Indiana funeral director didn’t bury at least four bodies within a reasonable time as required by state law. State police say an inspection this month of Porter Funeral Home in Tipton by an examiner from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency Board found four bodies in a non-refrigerated area, 11 death certificates hadn’t been issued and funeral director 62-year-old Kevin Porter’s license was expired.

After shooting, Buttigieg says South Bend police must activate cameras

June 19, 2019

Back home from the Democratic presidential campaign trail, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg is telling officers after a fatal police shooting that they must activate their body cameras during any interaction with civilians.

Judgment for trooper in motorcycle crash suit reversed

June 13, 2019

A motorcyclist injured in a crash after he attempted to evade a head-on collision with an oncoming state police trooper’s vehicle will have his day in court after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a trial court ruling for the officer.

Judge rejects request to block records in woman’s death

June 13, 2019

A southwestern Indiana judge has rejected a man’s request to block the release of records on authorities’ investigation into his daughter’s 2014 disappearance and death.

Judge denies police defamation claims in Indiana wiretapping

June 10, 2019

A northern Indiana judge has ruled that a former South Bend councilman did not defame four police officers targeted in a long-running wiretapping case when he sought a federal probe of potential racial bias in the police department.

Lawmaker: Recording at famed Indiana farm politically driven

June 7, 2019

Video exposing alleged animal abuse at a famous northwestern Indiana dairy farm is politically motivated, said an Indiana lawmaker who drafted legislation in 2013 that would have barred undercover video filming at the state’s agricultural operations.

Resentencing ordered in former Lake County sheriff’s wire-fraud case

June 6, 2019

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered for resentencing for a former Lake County sheriff convicted last year on bribery and wire fraud charges, vacating some of his counts for insufficient evidence.

7th Circuit: Evidence found during unlawful drug raid still admissible

June 6, 2019

Convictions were affirmed for a man whose home was illegally searched by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which uncovered 10 pounds of methamphetamine inside. The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals found that although the DEA should have obtained a search warrant first, the evidence was still admissible.

Animal abuse alleged at northern Indiana’s Fair Oaks Farms

June 6, 2019

Retailers began pulling Fairlife products from their shelves Wednesday as police investigated alleged animal abuse after an animal rights group released graphic video showing workers kicking and throwing young calves at an Indiana dairy farm that’s a popular destination for school field trips.

Justices let stand suppression in drug case, grant transfer in 2 others

June 3, 2019

Indiana Supreme Court justices agreed to hear two cases on grant of transfer last week, denying one other involving a faulty Muncie controlled drug buy. The three cases were the only matters justices considered on petition to transfer last week.

2 charged in vandalism of Hammond church

June 3, 2019

Authorities say two men are facing charges after they allegedly ransacked a northwestern Indiana church and left behind painted hate messages. Hammond police announced Saturday that 23-year-old Aaron J. Vanoppens and 22-year-old Nicholas D. Reding were charged with one count each of burglary and institutional criminal mischief after the interior of Faith United Church of Christ in Hammond sustained significant damage.

Man gets life in prison for Indiana deputy’s shooting death

May 30, 2019

A Lebanon man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty in the fatal shooting of a Boone County sheriff's deputy.

Resisting conviction affirmed over challenged ‘force’ instruction

May 28, 2019

An Indianapolis man’s conviction of Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement will stand after an appellate court declined to reverse it over a challenged jury instruction that sought to illustrate what appellate courts have construed to constitute “force.”

Appeals court upholds removal of Gary reserve officer

May 28, 2019

A Gary reserve officer suspended but later reinstated must now remain off the force after the Indiana Court of Appeals agreed that the Gary Police Department presented evidence of the reserve officer’s “repeated and blatant noncompliance” with orders.

Report: Detective’s contact with USA Gymnastics not a breach

May 28, 2019

An internal Indianapolis police investigation has determined a detective didn’t violate department policies by working with USA Gymnastics’ former chief executive to deflect criticism of the organization’s child abuse reporting policies. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department conducted a months-long probe into the actions of Lt. Bruce Smith, an acquaintance of ex-USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny who formerly ran the department’s Child Abuse Unit.

Indiana prosecutor asks state police to investigate his office

May 28, 2019

The prosecutor in Vigo County says he’s fired the director of the child support division and asked for a police investigation of his office. But Prosecutor Terry Modesitt declined to offer details on the investigation, saying he wants to be “very generic” during an “ongoing investigation.”

Judge rules for Hendricks County deputy in mentally ill man’s slaying

May 24, 2019

A federal judge has ruled in favor of several parties, including a Hendricks County sheriff’s deputy, after a mentally ill man was fatally shot during a welfare check.

Former officer pleads guilty to battery for punching suspect

May 24, 2019

A former Fort Wayne police officer has pleaded guilty to battery and resigned after authorities say he punched a man who refused to have his blood drawn for a drunken driving investigation.

10 dogs, more than 550 birds seized in animal fighting probe

May 24, 2019

Officials say more than 550 birds and 10 dogs allegedly being kept for use in animal fighting have been rescued from properties in two Indiana counties.

COA orders state to reimburse $77K from illegal seizure

May 23, 2019

The state must pay back more than $77,000 to a man after seizing cash from his vehicle, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, finding the money was unlawfully seized and turned over to the federal government.

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